Defender Jack Saville has agreed a new one-year contract with Barnet after initially being told he would be released at the end of his deal.

The 23-year-old centre-half was one of several players informed he would not be kept on when his contract expired but manager Martin Allen has since decided to offer Saville fresh terms.

Allen had left the door open for the former Reading and Chelsea youngster by inviting him to pre-season training with the club this summer.

Speaking to the club's website, Allen said: “After a good chat with Graham Stack and Jon Nurse I have taken their advice and guidance to give Jack another chance.

“He had 14 clean sheets when he played in the Barnet team last season which is a good tally and at the end of the season he played and stuck it out with an injury.”

“It took guts and determination and showed he can stand up when the going gets tough," he added.

Saville initially joined the Bees on loan from Southampton in 2011 before signing on a permanent basis the following summer.

The 6ft2in defender has made a total of 72 appearances in all competitions for Barnet, scoring once.